The murder detective investigating the shooting in Clerkenwell of a young man from Hackney on New Year’s Day has made a direct appeal to residents in the borough to help him catch his killer.

Aaron McKoy was killed while celebrating his 22nd birthday on Sunday. He was gunned down in Portpool Lane at about 4.10am and died at the scene.

A post-mortem examination gave the cause of death as a gunshot wound to the chest.

Detectives have arrested a 22-year-old man on suspicion of murder and bailed him to return to a north London police station in March, pending further inquiries.

An earlier suspected was released without charge.

Police say Aaron had been at the Clerkenwell House Wine Bar in Hatton Wall in the hours before he was killed.

Det Ch Insp John Crossley from the Met’s Trident unit –which deals with gun crime in London’s black communities – told the Gazette that a fight had erupted outside the club just minutes earlier, in which a stabbing took place.

“We believe the victim was involved in an incident in the venue and that this may have been the prompt for his killing,” he said.

“If you were there and noticed a dispute taking place I would urge you to get in touch as soon as possible, to enable us to bring those responsible to justice.”

He added that although Aaron’s exact address was not yet known, he had many links to Hackney.

Tribute

“Aaron had family and friends in Hackney and we know that people from Hackney were in that club,” he said. “We are asking for anyone with information to come forward.”

The victim’s cousin, who gave her name as Yolanda, said on Twitter that Aaron had grown up in Hackney and described him as “such a wonderful guy” who was “well loved and always showed love”.

“Alone with my thoughts, my thoughts are of you, Aaron McKoy damn how I miss you. R.I.P my wonderful cousin Aaron,” she tweeted.

Anyone with information for the investigators should call the incident room on 020 8733 4212 or Crimestoppers anonymously on 0800 555 111.